Chronic Wasting Disease: Hunters Asked to Report Collared Deer

Hunters who harvest a tagged and collared deer in western Nebraska are being asked to contact wildlife professionals conducting big game disease research. In February, 58 mule deer were tagged and collared in the Wildcat Hills southwest of Gering to track the potential spread or resistance of chronic wasting disease (CWD). Biologists want to take tissue samples of the collared harvested deer and obtain the collars for reuse in the project. Chronic Wasting Disease is a contagious neurological disease affecting deer and elk in Nebraska. In 2000, Nebraska Game and Parks biologists first identified CWD in the wild. There are many challenges associated with this disease, including its detection, spread, means of transmission and effects on deer and elk populations. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission first developed a CWD Management Plan in 2002. Plan goals included developing detection methods that identify CWD occurrence, tracking changes in prevalence and creating strategies that reduce further spread. Since then, goals have been accomplished through surveillance and testing strategies throughout the state. Several plan updates have been made, with the most recent version implemented in 2015. In July of 2024, Commission staff invited the public to share their comments regarding the most recent drafted plan during a virtual public meeting. The plan was finalized in August of 2024. Each collar has a phone number on it for hunters to call. People also may call the Alliance office of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission at 308-763-2940 or the Wildcat Hills Nature Center at 308-436-3777. Hunters should use caution when harvesting deer and should not shoot, handle or consume a deer acting abnormally or appearing sick. Observations of such animals should be reported to the nearest Game and Parks Commission office. Learn more about CWD in deer and deer hunting at OutdoorNebraska.gov and search CWD.

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